Power display device



April 11, 1944. MA 2,346,225

Pb'wER DISPLAY DEVICE Filed May 18,- 1942- 2 Sheets-Sheet .1

. INVENTVO'R Joe/5' Mara K ATTORNEY April 11, 1944. J. MAR 2,346,225

POWER DISPLAY DEVICE Filed May 18', 1942 2 sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR lack Mara/f Patented Apr. 11, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE rows-m DISPLAY DEVICE Jack Marak, New York, 'N. Y.

Application :May 18,1942, Serial No. 443,343

7 Claims. (Cl. 401'26) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a power displa'y'device.

The invention proposes a power display device which is characterized by a container for -a fluid substance from which a driven pump may the fluid substance to an elevated display tank having a bottom valve controlled discharge from which the fluid may pass to a storage tank which is also provided with a bottom'valve controlled discharge and thence to a water wheel which-is located above the container and driven-with the fluid from the storage tank, whichfluid then en ters the container and is repumped to said elevated display tank.

It is proposed that the elevated display tankbe transparent and be provided with certain floats, and mechanism to cause the floats to rise and fall in a certain way. Advertising material may be carried by these floats and be c lisplay'ed.

Furthermore, an arrangement is proposed for driving the power display device. One or more transmissions are also provided which are'driven by the power display device, and which may be connected with other apparatus as desired.

For further comprehension. of this invention,

and of the objects and advantagestthereof,rererence will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in whichthe various nove 'reatures of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a .material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a deviceconstructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a crankshaft used in the device.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged elevational View looking in the direction of the line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3. 7

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical se'ctional view of a portion of the elevated display tank disclosing details of the float. Y

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view similar toJFiglfi but showing the top portion of the tank with the float at the top.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary enlarged detailed-view of a portion of Fig. 5, illustrated with certain parts removed. I

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary enlarged horizontal sec tional view taken on the line 88 of 5.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail view of a portion of Fig. 5 completely in section.

'' substance.

a bottom valve controlled discharge I-2 for fluid substance is located above the container II]. A driven pump I3 is provided for pumping said fluid substance from said container II) to said tank I I. A storage tank I4 is supplied with fluid substance from the said bottom discharge I2 of the display tank 'I I. A water Wheel I5 is located above the container I0 and is driven with fluid from said storage tank I4, which fluid then enters the tank HI and is repumped by the pump l3 to theelevated display tank II. In this way the fluid substance keeps circulating.

There is a transmission system I6 from the water wheel I5 to the said pump I3. An electric motor H, or other supply of power, is connected in with this transmission system, to supply the necessary power to keep the display device working. The said display tank II is provided with a plurality of floats I8 which are so constructed and associated with mechanism that they will float-and sink in succession. Each float I8 has one or more topvalves I9 and a bottom valve controlled discharge 20 aligned, with the said bottom valve controlled discharge I2, in the bottom :position of the float. There is means for opening the top valve or valves for a short period when the float is at the top of said display tank II so that it takes in fluid and sinks. Means is also provided for opening said bottom valve controlled discharge, for a short period when the float isat the bottom of the display tank so that it loses its fluid and rises to the .top of the display tank. This continues during the entire period of operation of the power display device. A plurality vof transmissions 2| are operatively connected with the floats I8 to transmit some of the power which may be utilized as desired to drive other displays, or for other purposes.

"The container I0 forms a bottom base for the power display device. The other parts thereof are mounted directly or indirectly on this .base. The elevated display tank II is supported on a large angle member 22 which is mounted upon the side of the storage tank I4. The storage tank l'4-is supported by feet 23 upon the top of the container H1. The pump I3 is connected by a storage conduit 24 with the container It so that it may pump the fluid substance from the container I0 through the pump discharge 25, into the top or the elevated display tan-k II. The

words Lefto, Centro, Righto appearing upon the sides of the floats I8 are intended to indicate advertising material which is visible through the transparent material of the tank II.

The storage tank I4 has a discharge 26 which is directed against the water wheel I5. struction is such that the water wheel I will be driven by the fluid which leaves the tank I4. The water wheel I5 is supported on a bracket 21, which in turn is supported on or across the tank II]. The water wheel I 5 is provided with a driven shaft 28, which in turn has a bevel gear 29 fixed thereon. This bevel gear meshes with a bevel gear 30 on a vertical shaft 3I rotatively supported v on the bracket 21. The vertical shaft 3I 'is provided with a bevel gear 32 meshing with-the bevel gear 32' on one end of a crank shaft 33 which forms a part of the transmission I6. This crank I There is shaft 33 is supported at several points. a bearing 34 supporting one end of the shaft 33. This bearing is in turn supported on the'bracket 21. Another bearing 35 supports an intermediate portion of the crank shaft ,33. Another bearing 36 supports the other end of the crank shaft 33. The crank shaft 33 has large cranks 33 which may be connected with other display devices or other devices. The crank shaft 33 also is provided with smaller cranks 33 which may also be utilized to take off power, as desired.

The floats I8 are of hollow construction. Each float I8 is provided with a plurality of valves I9 at the top. These valves control passages 31 through the top of the float. Each valve I9 is mounted on a valve stem 38 which extends upwards and passes through a support bracket 39.

Each support bracket 39 has perforations 46 to permit the circulation of fluid substance through or around the bracket. Each bracket 39 is provided with a dash pot M to make each valve I9 rapid opening and slow closing. Each dash pot 4I includes a closed container 42 mounted on the bracket 39. The valve stem 38 passes through the container 42. A piston 43 is located within the container 42 and fixed on the valve stem 38.

The piston 43 has a large opening 44 which is controlled by a one way valve 45 having a small bleed 46. A spring 41 is located within the con tainer 42 and urges the piston 43 upwards and thus urges the valve I9 into a closed position.

The top end of the valve stem 38 is provided with a head 48. Another spring 49 is coaxially mounted on the valve stem 38 and act between the head 48 and the bracket 38 for assisting in urging the valve I9 into its closed position. Each valve head 48 is located directly below a lug 58 projecting from the top portion of the tank II. The construction is such that when the float I8 reaches the top of the tank II the heads 48 strike the lugs 58, which indirectly opens the valves I9. The valves I9 will remain open for a 6.0

preselected time, even though the float I8 starts sinking. The dash pots 4I control the length of time that the valves I9 remain open. During this period the fluid substance enters the interior of the float and this is what causes the float to sink.

Each float I8 is also provided with said bottom valve controlled discharge 20. This discharge is in the nature of a tube which is valve controlled. There is a valve stem 5I slidably mounted on spider supports 52 within this tube. A valve 53 is mounted upon the top of the valve stem 5!. A spring 54 is coaxially mounted on the valve stem and acts between one of the spiders 52 and acollar 55 mounted on the valve stem. r Thisspring The con- 54 acts to urge the valve 53 into a closed position. The discharge is aligned with one of the discharges I2 of the display tank I I. Thus when the float I8 is in a bottom position, as shown in Fig. 8, these discharges engage each other. In this position of the float the valve 53 will be open. The reason for this is that the lower end of the valve stem 5I then rests upon a member 56 mounted in the discharge I2. This raises the valve 53.

The member 56 is in the nature of a spider which is mounted on a valve stem 51. The valve stem 51 is provided with a valve 58 which works valve stem 51 into a raised position, in which in cooperation with a perforated disc 59 mounted across the discharge I2. A spring 69 urges the position the valve 58 is closed. However, when the valvestem 5I rests on the spider 56, the valve 58 will be opened in addition to the valve 53.

Consequently, the fluid substance from the interior of the float I8 may discharge through the discharge I2. The discharges I2 are connected by a pipe 6| with the side of the storage tank I4. The pipe discharge 28 must actually enter the discharge pipe I2 before the valve 58 can open making it impossible for the storage tank I4 to empty directly through the discharge pipe I2.

Means is provided for latching each float I8 in its bottom position for a short period of time, which time is calculated to be sufficient to permit the float to completely lose its fluid substance. This means includes a solenoid 62 for each float. Eachsolenoid 62 has a core 63 which is connected with a bolt 64 adapted to engage a keeper slot 65 in the side of the discharge 28. A spring 66, see Figs. 8 and 9, normally urges the solenoid core 63 and hence the bolt 64 into a retracted position. The solenoid 62 is connected in a circuit 61 which includes a normally open switch 68 and a normally closed thermostat switch 69. The thermostatic switch 69 is formed of high resistance material, so that when the switch 68 is closed, closing the circuit 61, the current flowing through the material of the thermostatic switch 69 will create the required heat to cause the switch 69 to flex opening the circuit 69 after a certain period of time has elapsed.

' A rod I6 is connected with the switch 68 and is niovableby the float I8 to close the switch 68. Thus when the float I8 reaches its bottom position it'strikes the rod I9, closing the switch 68 and thus the circuit 61. This energizes the solenoid 62 so that the bolt 64 engages the keeper 65, holding the float I8 in its bottom position. In

this position the fluid substance is discharging. After a predetermined period of time a thermostat switch 69 breaks the circuit 61 which deenergizes the solenoid 62 and the spring 66 moves the bolt 65 to disengage the keeper 65. Immevdiately the float I8 starts rising and the valves 53 and 58 automatically close.

Each float I8 is associated with a transmission system 2|. Each of these systems include a driven. shaft I2 rotatively supported through a bracket I3. A gear I4 is loose on each shaft I2. A ratchet wheel'15 is fixedly mounted on each shaft .12. A spring pressed pawl I6 is mounted upon the side of each gear I4 and engages its ratchet wheel I5. A rack 11 meshes with the gear I4 and is mounted upon the top on the float I8. When a float I8 descends the rack 11 rotates the gear I4 which merely idles on the shaft I2. However, when the float I8 rises the rack II rotates the gear I4 in the opposite direction and the pawl I6 transmits these rotations to the ratchet The crank shaft 33 is also provided with a bevel gear 18 which connects with a transmission system 19 connected with the motor II. This transmission system 19 includes a crank 80 operating a connecting rod 8! which drives the pump I3.

Briefly, the operation of the device is as follows:

The motor I1 drives the transmission 19, which indirectly operates the pump I3. The fluid substance from the container l will be lifted by the pump 13 and discharged into the elevated display tank H. The floats It will alternately ascend and descend, as previously explained. The fluid substance will discharg from the valve controlled discharges l2, and-will pass through the pipe 6|. The end of the pipe 6| which connects the discharges I2 is above the water line of the tank [4 as shown in Fig. 1, so that this pipe will be full of air. Thus, when the valves 53 and 58 are open as shown in Fig. 5 air will enter the float from the pipe BI and adjacent discharge l2 to displace the water in the float and cause it to flow from the float emptying the same. When the latch is released the empty float will be buoyant to rise within its respective tank freeing the valves 53 and 58 to automatically close. From the pipe 6! the fluid substance will pass into the tank It and pass out through the discharge 26 and drive the water wheel I5. The fluid substance then collects in the container H! from which it is recirculated as just explained. Rotations of the water wheel l5 will drive the transmissions l6 and 79. The electric motor I! supplies any deficiency in power. The ascending and descending floats [8 will drive the various transmissions 2|.

It is to be understood that the crank shaft 33 may be so arranged that it may drive the pump [3, without creating a dead center in the driving connecting rods, by having the crank arm portions 33 set 90 apart.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of m invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. In a power display, an elevated display tank having a bottom valve controlled discharge for fluid substance, means supplying fluid to said tank, a plurality of floats in said tank, each float having a top valve and a bottom valve controlled discharge aligned with said bottom discharge in the bottom position of said float, means for opening said top valve for a short period of time when the float is at the top of said display tank so that it takes in fluid and sinks, and means for opening said bottom valve controlled discharge for a short period of time when said float is at the bottom of said display tank so that it loses its fluid and rises to the top of said display tank.

2. In a power display, an elevated display tank having a bottom valve controlled discharge for fluid substance, mean-s supplying fluid to said tank, a plurality of floats in said tank, each float having a top valve and a bottom valve controlled discharge aligned with said bottom discharge in th bottom position of said-float, means for opening said top valve for a short period of time when the floatis at the top of said display tank so that it takes in fluid and sinks, and means for opening said bottom valve controlled discharge for a short period of time when said float is at the bottom of said display tank so that it loses its fluid and rises to the top of said display tank, said elevated display tank being transparent so that the floats are visible.

3. In a power display, an elevated display tan having a bottom valve controlled discharge for. fluid substance, means supplying fluid to said.

tank, a plurality of floats in said tank, each float having a top valve and a bottom valve controlled discharge aligned with said bottom discharge in the bottom position of said float, means for opening said top valve for a short period of time when the float is at the top of said display tank so that it takes in fluid and sinks, and means for opening said bottom valve controlled discharge for a short period of time when said float is at the bottom of said display tank so that it loses its fluid and rises to the top of said display tank, the top valve of each float being resiliently urged closed, and a dash pot for controlling the closing time.

l. In a power display, an elevated display tank having a bottom valve controlled discharge for fluid substance, means supplying fluid to said tank, a plurality of floats in said tank, each float having a top valve and a bottom valve controlled discharge aligned with said bottom discharge in the bottom position of said float, means for opening said top valve for a short period of time when the float is at the top of said display tank so that it takes in fluid and sinks, and means for opening said bottom valve controlled discharge for a short period of time when said float is at the bottom of said display tank so that it loses its fluid and rises to the top of said display tank, the top valve of each float being resiliently urged closed, and a dash pot for controlling the closing time, and said means for opening the top valve comprising a stationary abutment which the valve strikes and then is self-opening.

5. In a power display, an elevated display tank having a bottom valve controlled discharge for fluid substance, means supplying fluid to said tank, a plurality of floats in said tank, each float having a top valve and a bottom valve controlled discharge aligned with said bottom discharge in the bottom position of said float, means for opening said top valve for a short period of time when the float is at the top of said display tank so that it takes in fluid and sinks, and means for opening said bottom valve controlled discharge for a short period of time when said float is at the bottom of said display tank so that it loses its fluid and rises to the top of said display tank, comprising abutments against which the valve strikes, and means for catching and holding the float in its bottom position to hold the valves open.

6. In a power display, an elevated display tank having a bottom valve controlled discharge for fluid substance, means supplying fluid to said tank, a plurality of floats in said tank, each float having a top valve and a bottom valve controlled discharge aligned with said bottom discharge in the bottom position of said float, means for opening said top valve for a short period of time when the float is at the top of said display tank so that it takes in fluid and sinks, and means for opening said bottom valve controlled discharge for a short period of time when said float is at the bottom of said display tank so that it loses its fluid and rises to the top of said display tank, comprising abutments against which the valve strikes, and means for catching and holding the float in its bottom position to hold the valves open, said latter means comprising a solenoid operated catch and a thermostatic switch for opening the circuit through said solenoid.

7. In a power display, an elevated display tank having a bottom valve controlled, discharge for fluid substance, means supplying fluid to said tank, a plurality of floats in said tank, each float having a top valve and a bottom valve controlled discharge aligned with said bottom discharge in the bottom position of said float, means for opening said top valve for a short period of time when the float is at the top of said display tank so that it takes in fluid and sinks, means for opening said bottom valve controlled discharge for a short period of time when said float is at the bottom of said display tank so that it loses its fluid and rises to the top of said display tank, a transmission operatively connected with each of said floats.

JACK MARAK. 

